Oh no, baby: Austin’s so tired

Having enjoyed the film’s two predecessors immensely, my expectations were high, although I left my mind open as in each case previously, the movie has become funnier in retrospect.

The film’s main narrative strand involves, and this should come as no surprise, Dr Evil’s plot to hold the world to ransom.

Drafting in the Dutch Goldmember, whose privates have been dramatically altered as a result of an unfortunate smelting incident, Dr Evil plans to use a “tractor beam” to pull a meteor towards the earth, causing the polar ice caps to melt and result in global flooding.

While familial issues are also a concern – Scott Evil struggles to gain acceptance from his evil genius father and Austin, too, strives for approval from his ex-British superspy dad (Michael Caine) – it is plainly humour that is the film’s driving force, despite being not very funny.

Differences in this third instalment include the addition of Goldmember to the character list, who stands out as one of the funnier aspects of the film but is criminally underused. The film instead shows a preference for the tired Dr Evil.

Beyonce Knowles fills the female lead nicely, replacing Liz Hurley and Heather Graham from previous outings and exhibiting a gloriously honed, even-toned body in skimpy costumes and sporting a wild and feisty afro.

Unfortunately, Austin Powers in Goldmember offers nothing new in the way of humour.

The same old jokes feel laboured this time round

and laughter in the audience was forced.

The flat musical routine at the start of the film, usually so rousing, should have been a warning not to expect too much.

It shows some promise when, soon after its opening, we see Austin at the premiere of the Hollywood adaptation of his ‘life’ – Austinpussy, in an amusing sequence that showcases cameos from some very big Hollywood stars. Moments like these, however, are few and far between.

Whether or not this film will improve with subsequent viewings remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, I think it is time for the hilarious Mike Myers to embark on a new venture.